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Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno has tasked newly-appointed Customs commissioner Bienvenido Rubio to prioritize digitalization at the Bureau of Customs
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Rubio vowed to accomplish President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s four directives: hit and surpass the revenue target; simplify and secure facilitation of trade; curb smuggling of any form; and uplift the morale of the men and women of the bureau
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Rubio said he would also push for good governance
Newly appointed Bureau of Customs (BOC) commissioner Bienvenido Rubio assumed office today (Feb 13), and was promptly given marching orders by Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno to prioritize digitalization.
“I am confident that Commissioner Rubio will take on this mission with utmost commitment, integrity, and excellence,” Diokno said in a speech delivered by Finance undersecretary Bayani Agabin during a turnover ceremony.
Appointed on February 10, Rubio replaced Yogi Filemon Ruiz, who has been acting commissioner since July 2022.
Diokno, who has thrown his full support to Rubio, said a “digital customs administration allows the government to focus its resources in the identification of higher risk entities, while enhancing the ease of doing business.”
BOC has rolled out various digital initiatives over the years. According to Ruiz, as of last year, the agency’s digital penetration rate for processes was at 91%.
The finance chief said he expects Rubio will bring in a “fresh vision” to BOC and “even loftier targets to move the Bureau closer to the goal of becoming a modern and world-class Customs agency that ranks among the best in the world.”
In his speech, Rubio vowed to accomplish President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s four directives: hit and surpass the revenue target; simplify and secure facilitation of trade; curb smuggling of any form; and uplift the morale of the men and women of the bureau.
Aligned with the priority programs of the President, Rubio said he would also push for good governance by implementing sustainable reforms, including:
- review and revision of policies and procedures by digitalizing all the BOC processes geared towards a transparent and efficient government
- enhancement of competencies and integrity of personnel to ensure the delivery of quality public service
- foster a data-driven culture to ensure the utilization of data gathered in the decision-making at every level of the organization
- linking actions and heeding feedback and evaluation from partners and stakeholders
“To my co-workers, it is time to make that pivotal change; to catapult the BOC as a forefront in revenue collection rather than corruption. To achieve that 180-degree turnabout, this aspiration requires each and everyone/s hard work, dedication, and cooperation,” Rubio said.
Prior to his appointment, Rubio was director of the Port Operations Service under the Assessment and Operations Coordinating Group of BOC. He began in BOC 12 years ago as a special agent 1, an entry-level position, under the Enforcement and Security Service and rose from ranks since then.
